78. Cook my way through an entire magazine/cookbook

Crab Macaroni Casserole
January edition of Healthy Cooking Magazine.

 

I gave this a whirl last week, it looks really good in the magazine, I mean really really good, this helping of creamy gooey goodness... it was a bit deceiving. My Dad makes the best macaroni in the world, loaded with cheese, onions and bacon really I should've known any "light" version of macaroni really would not measure up, but as per my requirements.. I still needed to cook my way through a magazine. So, I whipped up this quick concoction.

It needs some sort of spice... I've tested a few servings using different spices.. nothing really added that "something" it needed, but the sriracha added the most taste.. maybe cause it really just covered up everything with that HOT taste. It made quite a bit- so for a group that likes bland food, this probably will satisfy, but not my favourite, that's for sure!

11. Read 50 Books

Room
by Emma Donoghue

I found this hard to get into, it took a while to get use to Jack's voice, but once I got over that, I couldn't put it down. It was a bit draining, but I was happy I'd read it in the end.

Here's a summary
Room

11. Read 50 Books

The Spellman Files
 by Lisa Lutz

The Summary

Halfway through this book, I ran back to the library and got the other three books in the series. I finished the first book today at lunch, it is awesome! I can't wait to start the next book.

The Spellman files is about a family of Private Investigators who seem to investigate each other more than those in their cases. The character dialogues, mixed with the high-speed chases, broken headlights, 14 yr old's ginger-ale binges at the local bar and the lost weekends, made for one hilarious story.

Tonight... The Curse of the Spellman's, the next book in the series.

13. Cook 50 Ethnic Dishes

ok.. this doesn't look very appealing, but apprently looks can be deceiving. Graham, Ashley and the kids all approved! I think it was the caraway seeds.. Yum!

Here's the recipe
Heidelberg Meatloaf
1 1/2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef
3 Slices Rye Bread, Torn Up
1 Cup Beer Or Bouillon - Any Brand
1 Large Egg
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Caraway Seed (optional)
1/2 Teaspoon Celery Seed
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
preheat Oven To 350 Degrees F.
Mix all the ingredients together. Spread the mixture into an ungreased 9 X 5-inch loaf pan. Bake uncovered for 1 To 1.25 hours. Let stand for 5 To 10 minutes before slicing.

13. Cook 50 Ethnic Dishes

Robin's Forgotten Jambalaya
Wow.. this was as easy as it was delicious.

Everyone loved it, kids included. It is very filling, but no one wanted to stop eating it.

We served it over rice, but a bowl of this just by itself would be dinner in itself.  YUM!

29. Cook for my Grandmas once a month for an entire year

Noon on Saturday, Grandma Peg, Grandma Del, Grace, Chloe, Adrian and myself gathered around the dinner table to enjoy a feast of tacos. Both of my grandma's had never tried tacos, or don't recall anyways.

Grace led the way showing the ladies how it's done. The kids were thrilled with their tacos, Chloe tried a "tortilliaaaaaa" as Edith had taught her to say on Friday evening.

 Lunch was very easy and I felt a bit guilty about not going "all out" for my grandmas, but was thrilled when I was told they'd never had them... i think they're both heading out to the grocery store to buy a taco kit to try themselves.

We had two desserts, an Angel lush and chocolate cake for Grandma Del, I forgot about her not being able to eat cool whip, next time, I'll make it with real whip cream, ~ real is always better anyways!

11. Read 50 Books

The Happiness Project 
 by Gretchen Rubin

a link to the summary

I think this is a must read for everyone. It was such a good book. A sort of how-to-book on becoming a happier, lighter person. I didn't agree with everything she said, but I do catch myself thinking of ways to make myself happier, when I'm starting to feel annoyed, I take a step back and remind myself to find a better way to deal with it.

This is one book that I will definitely put on my buy list oh and one that I think I should read once a year just to remind myself how important happiness truly is.

Thanks to the book club for the suggestion! Fantastic read.